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Eye on 'Idol': Season six ends in high style |
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Written by Hunter Hauk, MCT
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Thursday, 24 May 2007 |
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Jordin Sparks became the new "American Idol" with more than 74 million votes counted, but the results almost felt secondary to the night itself.
When Green Day hit the stage about an hour and a half into Wednesday night's two-hour extravaganza, it became official: This is the best finale ever.
What's funny is that it caps a season considered inferior to the others.
Perhaps the show's producers finally learned the meaning of the phrase "all killer, no filler."
Here are some highlights:
• Having the two most successful "Idol" winners come back to perform was smart, very smart. Kelly Clarkson hasn't had much to do with "Idol" in the past few years, but she has a new album to promote, so it worked out well for the rest of us. She killed it on "Never Again," and the camera cutting to Clive Davis at the end of the song was breeliant. Equally breeliant was Carrie Underwood's "I'll Stand By You." Taylor Hicks? We'll decide later.
• The finalists mixing it up with established artists made for some top-notch musical moments. Ruben Studdard joined Jordin Sparks on "You're All I Need (To Get By)" to remind us all why he won Season 2. Blake Lewis and Doug E. Fresh had a beatboxing competition that, despite its rhythmic precision, Mr. Fresh confirmed later was all freestyle. Melinda Doolittle's gospel crunk number with the Winanses? Golden. And when Gladys Knight joined the Top 6 girls, we were ready to crown her the next "American Idol." One low note: We're not sure which we like less, Sanjaya or Aerosmith.
• If one element of "Idol" has improved over last year, it's Ryan Seacrest.
His onstage commentary is starting to trump Simon Cowell's. Wonder what that Dunkleman dude is doing.
• Good call, putting Bette Midler and Tony Bennett up there to sing their hits. People over 50 are a huge part of the "Idol" demographic. Really.
• Again, the "Golden Idol" awards were both fascinating and winceworthy. It made us think back to the insane cruelty of the beginning of the season.
Sponsoring a real bush baby in Kenneth Briggs' honor? Not necessary.
• The Beatles medley starring every "Idol" known to man made us not really care about the announcement of the winner. We did halfway expect McCartney to appear. Oh well.
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QUIPS
What was said after the show at the press conference:
Doug E. Fresh on Blake: "He's not a novelty. I keep telling people that. I created beatboxing as an element in hip-hop. But when I heard Blake do his thing, I became a student."
CeCe Winans on Melinda: "When Melinda sang back-up (for her), I didn't realize how great she was. I knew she was great, but what she's done the past few months is spectacular."
BeBe Winans on Melinda: "I told Melinda the other day — I'm gonna sing background for you now."
Members of the African Children's Choir on their favorite contestant: "JOR-DAHN!"
Joe Perry on Sanjaya: "It was almost like performing with my little brother."
Joe Perry on "American Idol": "It's almost like when the Beatles hit. There's an energy behind it. It's more than music."
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Hunter Hauk:
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